DISCLAIMER: Nope, no belong to me. And I give full credit to the Doritos
Company (Frito-Lay, I believe) for the title of this chapter.
A/N: Hey you guys! Here I am again, for another installment! I wanted to thank you all for the awesome reviews you left me, and the great ideas too -- makes a girl feel good, y'know? Well, enough from me, read on and I hope you like it!
* * * * * *
A Kiss Is Still A Kiss
PART IV: You Are Bold, Yes -- But Are You Daring?
" Aww, that is so cute! My daughter has a stalker!"
" I'm being hunted."
" He has it out for you, huh?"
" It's like he's the predator and I'm his helpless prey in some sick world where everyone lives a Discovery Channel life," Rory groaned, pulling her long brown hair up into a ponytail.
" Yes well, that would be interesting ... having your every move documented and taped with some famous British narrator over-interpreting the situation and making it into a dramatic saga, oh wouldn't that be sweet," Lorelai teased.
" Ha ha - alright, go ahead and mock me."
" Now don't tell me that it doesn't invigorate you just the tiniest little bit to know that you're being pursued, and that you're wanted - maybe?"
Rory just stared back at the minimal space between Lorelai's fingers with her dominant blue eyes.
" Invigorated, no - nauseous, yes."
" Hmm ... like, nauseous in an apprehensive, 'You give me the butterflies, you hot sexy fiend' way?"
" How about in a 'I'd rather have a hole in my head and vomit at the sight of my own brains' way," Rory deadpanned while she proceeded to pull at her harassing navy tights.
" Fine, it was worth a try ... Dean called," Lorelai informed.
" So you've told me, like, 80 million times."
" Perhaps I'm just waiting for you to actually do something about it, and then, and only then, will I stop bringing it up."
Both Gilmores began making their way to the door and grabbed their respective coats and gear.
" How about you just stop now, and then it will make the world a better place, for you and for me."
" Sure you don't wanna sing that," Lorelai quipped.
" No thanks, Michael Jackson isn't so high on my list of favorites."
" Yeah, well, how about his new hairdo? Stunning, right?"
" Oh make it stop."
" No I'm serious - the afro is coming back!"
" No more."
" I'm thinking that's the next hair move for me - forget ringlets, forget waves, forget straightening irons, I want a BUSH!!!"
" And out the door we go," Rory cut in, exiting the premises.
Lorelai just gave her daughter a commiserating grin and followed behind.
(A/N: I know that we are kind of in the beginnings of Gilmore Girls -- oh, first season perhaps, and that the Michael Jackson/afro-wearing thing is more of a recent development in his plethora of bad fashion choices, but I had to add it in because it's just too funny for words. Okay, read on.)
* * * * * *
Rory cautiously walked the halls of Chilton on high alert, stealth mode at maximum capacity - as ridiculous as she was sure she looked, she was not going to be the helpless gazelle pounced upon by the vigorous feline marauder and reduced to a bloody pulp, oh no ...
Success! She made it to her locker, and no sign of her shadow. Speedily, she entered her combination, yanking the door open, and began to wrench out her needed text and materials. Presently, a medium-sized white cup with a strip of cardboard covering appeared before her face. She gasped in amazement and awe, but then in remorse when the cup disappeared. She was then forced to turn around and confront the offender.
" Good morning Mary."
Rory was motionless, like a deer in the headlights, or like a gazelle waiting to be attacked - ironic, yes? But she would not be intimidated. Gilmores were never intimidated. Ever.
" Good morning," she replied evenly with a look of 'You don't scare me', then reached for the cup.
It was swiftly removed from her grasp and suspended stories above her normal height - damn Tristan and his long arms.
" Now how much coffee have you had this morning?"
" That's irrelevant," she retorted, not stopping in her activity of trying to retrieve her life-blood from the clenches of the Devil.
" Maybe I shouldn't have gotten you more coffee, I mean look what it's done to you already," he reasoned smugly.
Her struggle producing no fruit, she caught her breath and glared, arms defiantly folded across her chest.
" You're a mean, mean person; you probably kick little innocent puppies, or purposely make messes for your maids to clean up, or run through the grocery store, knocking things off the shelves, I bet you even steal food from the bulk section."
All she got in return was a lazy grin and Tristan's bedroom eyes.
" No need to get belligerent, my dear. I have every intention of giving it to you."
She waited patiently, but nothing came.
" Well," she demanded with heightened irritation.
" I never said I was talking about the coffee," he drawled, inching closer.
It was then that her face began to turn numerous shades of red and her shyness factor increased to infinity. Enjoying her uneasy state, but not wanting to spoil all the surprises, he merely smirked wider, chuckling to himself.
" Okay - you may have the beverage in question, but only at a fair price."
" That's supposed to make me feel better?"
" All I'm asking for is a kiss, Rory."
Her eyes momentarily widened.
" Tristan, I'm not giving you a kiss," she refused.
" Come come now, I never said where."
" Now I'm definitely not giving you a kiss."
Tristan laughed again, never having had so much fun his entire life.
" It'll be over soon, I promise."
She eyed him, unsure, as he turned his cheek toward her ... kiss Tristan and get the coffee, don't kiss Tristan and save herself from temptation ... choices, choices. In the end, Rory decided to lean in and go for it - this was coffee, after all, the one thirst-quencher worth risking your life for.
It all got changed after that, because Tristan had other plans ... plans that included turning his face at the last minute and claiming her mouth with his. She was caught off guard and moaned in protest but made no efforts to sever the connection or harm him in any way, and the kiss continued. Neither of them really knew how long it lasted, too busy concentrating on each other and the current of sparks that ran between their amalgamated lips. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end -- besides, spectators and romantic moments don't mix very well, so it was Tristan who stopped the kiss, clearing his throat and straightening up his posture.
" That was unexpected," he confessed.
Rory opened her eyes and tried desperately to recapture her sang-froid but failed in the end, so she settled for her routine indifference.
" Was not -- you probably planned for that to happen."
**Oh my dear sweet Rory - if you only knew ...**
" Oh that's laughable at best, but almost not true."
" You couldn't be more obvious."
" A good poker player never shows their hand, Rory."
" Is that what this is to you -- a game?"
He almost winced at his choice of words, pressed to find a comeback and fast.
" Hardly; I have every intention of making you mine forever and always, but you seem to have this stubbornness problem, so, what's a guy to do?"
" Give up and admit defeat," she suggested in a commanding tone, not able to keep the grin from her countenance.
" Now where's the fun in that - have I taught you nothing?"
" Do you really want me to answer that?"
" No, not really - well, I have to get to class," he side-tracked, checking the non-existent watch on his wrist.
" Please do."
" And as promised, here is your coffee - try not to miss me, will you darling?"
" I'll try," she returned, commiseration heavy in her voice.
Then Tristan did his seductive leaning-in thing, and she held her breath.
" Have a nice day Rory," he whispered in her ear, the side of his face brushing hers and sending chills down her spine.
She was forced to face his retreating back until he rounded the corner to Chemistry and subsequently she had to wonder what it was about him that put this spell on her and turned her into a wordless invalid - wordless and Rory Gilmore don't go together in the same sentence.
" What was that," a harsh voice hissed from behind her.
Rory didn't have to turn around to know who spoke.
" What was what, Paris," she asked in an overly-cheerful tone, facing her opponent but sometimes-friend.
" I know you're not as mindless as you look right now, so why don't we just drop the charade - what's going on with you and Tristan?"
" Nothing's going on," Rory defended, having shouldered her backpack and started down the hall to first period.
Naturally, Paris followed.
" Do you take me for a fool, Rory?"
" I wouldn't dare."
" It certainly didn't look like nothing."
" Maybe you need glasses."
" How convenient for you."
" You know, I'm really not in the mood today Paris, so if this conversation could be over in the next few seconds, that would be great, I'd really appreciate it," Rory uncharacteristically snapped.
" I don't know, exactly, the nature of the hold you seem to have on him, but I fully plan to find out," Paris cautioned.
" Well, good luck with that."
(A/N: Borrowed that from "Rory's Birthday Parties" - hope you don't mind, Amy!)
Rory soon rounded her own corner and left the source of her torment somewhere behind.
* * * * * *
The school day had almost come to a close, and Rory was wandering through the library, attempting to pass the time during her study hall.
It came to her attention that she had not seen Tristan the entire day, whether to her enjoyment or to her dismay she was not sure. Leafing through a random piece of literature, she just felt like any minute, he was going to pop up and scare the living daylights out of her or bombard her with a surfeit of suggestive comments. And she would be right.
" Did anyone ever tell you how exquisite your neck looks when your hair is up," Tristan said cooly, fixing her shirt collar and placing a few short kisses on the body part being discussed.
Why was this library so stifling? Hadn't they heard of circulating air?
She pushed down the heat rising from the very spot his lips had just left, bit down on her own, and pressed forward.
" Note to self: wear hair down to school from now on," she mumbled to herself, but just loud enough for him to hear.
" Ooo - and the assailment begins."
His comfortable stance against the bookshelf entailed he wasn't leaving.
" Do you never tire of leaning on things," Rory solicited in exasperation.
His grin was insufferable.
" Think about that question then get back to me."
A roll of her crystal blue eyes generated the desired reaction
" What are you doing in here exactly, besides to just torture me?"
" Isn't that enough," he snarked.
No response.
" What do people in school libraries usually do?"
" Don't tell me you actually read or I'll keel over in shock."
" And it would be a sad, sad day in Hartford, I assure you."
" So is that a yes?"
" I wouldn't want to be the direct cause of your keeling over."
" Too late."
" You wound me, Mary," he said, clutching the Chilton emblem resting on his left pectoral.
" These aren't all picture books, you know; there's no Car World, or Head Stuck Up My Ass Today, or Don't You Wish You Had My Privileged Life, and there are certainly no dirty magazines --- are you sure you can handle page after page of just words?"
" First of all, watch the potty mouth, second, I do read - on occasion - when there aren't certain distractions around ..."
Tristan was of course looking straight at her as he said this.
" Are you entailing that I'm a distraction," she continued the banter, knowing full well from past experience where this conversation would lead.
" Perhaps - not to say that's a bad thing."
" Of course not; I'm sure you need distractions all the time because, without them, you start thinking and getting ideas, then chaos and mass destruction are never far behind - a very common tale."
" My, aren't we witty today," he stated in an English accent.
" Why thank you," she imitated cordially and pretended to read.
Rory soon felt Tristan's strong arms wrap around her waist from behind her, and his mouth found its way back to the cradle of her neck -- she knew she was in for it. So rather than let on that he was having an effect on her, she delved into her everlasting wellspring of drollness to save her.
" Not this again," she pretended to be disgusted.
" I'm sorry, you're just too tempting," he reasoned between kisses.
" Tristan, I have a boyfriend."
This made him stop his current activity and look her in the eye.
" No you don't."
Okay, so he wasn't that stupid - big deal, right?
" Well ... maybe not now, but I will soon."
**Lame Gilmore, so lame**
" So how can 'not now' be interpreted as having a boyfriend?"
" You're making this more difficult than it has to be."
" Hey don't blame me for your faulty logic."
" You already know I want to get back with Dean."
In spite of all the fun things he had in store for Rory, the words were still painful to hear. But a DuGrey never shows weakness.
" I certainly hope so - scandal is my middle name after all," he saved face, putting on the patented charm and smirk.
" You poor soul."
" I'm sure I have your sympathies."
Silence crept back into the convo, and Rory glanced around nervously, clasping the novel to her chest. The bell had rung minutes ago - she was desperate for a getaway.
" I'm gonna miss the bus."
" There you go again with that escape tactic - how does she do it?"
" I really am this time - besides, I need to get home, 'cuz Mom probably left the coffeemaker on, and she'll burn the whole place down, it'll be a big mess."
" Maybe that whole 'giving you a ride home' idea is pretty debatable now, huh?"
" Probably."
Tristan's smirk transitioned to a smile as he dug one hand into his pocket.
" So I guess this is goodbye then ... for now."
" Yes, for now," she agreed, returning the smile.
Lucky for her she still holding that novel, or else her arms would truly look limp. She fully expected him to do something evocative, to the point that she felt something was amiss if he didn't. He didn't disappoint, naturally, brushing one of those errant strands from her face and placing a small but highly satisfactory kiss on her lips. With one last stroke of her cheek, he was gone.
* * * * * *
Hey there hi there ho there! So tell me - was it sap? Like, from a tree? I know it's a little premature for things to be getting so fluffy, but I couldn't resist. Do let me know of your thoughts by pressing that little square button at the bottom left of the window, thank you so much.
Another thank you to the reviewers:
samantha: thanks, and I plan to!
Surya: I liked that line too, so feel free! And "The More Things Change" is getting so juicy! You are awesome!
BTVSGoddess: Yes, Rory is lucky, and the plans are only getting better!
darasun: Honored, as always, and great minds must think alike, 'cuz that's almost exactly what I had planned for our favorite little couple, so thanks!
Elise: I hope this was soon enough! You rock!(
Alece: I'm sorry babe, but she is gonna get back with Dean - only for plot- thickening purposes, though. There will be Troriness in the near future!
Orangefish018: You got me all figured out girl! I hope your brilliant predictions don't spoil the surprise!
coincidence casualty: thanks for hopping aboard and reading! More support = happy trory-goddess!
Tristanlover59: I'm glad you liked it sweetie!
piper-h-99: I UPDATED!!!
jessiebite: thank you for the encouragement hun, it means so much, really!
jesslover17: What's this? Something about you loving it...ha ha, j/k! Thanks chica!
Amber: Glad you liked it as well!
swimminsweetie: Ditto! You're a trooper, babe!
LizDarcy: Yes, giggling is good! And there is plenty of seduction on the way!
ZoeLuv80: I hope you liked the beginnings of what Tristan has in store for Rory!
LandonLover: Yes, they should hook up immediately, banter is required, and so is sexual tension - you hit the three corners!
Jamie Witter: This is an honor as well, so thank you!
Deeta: I hope you keep on loving it!
Phew! That was the first shout out to the reviewers I've ever done! I hope it was adequate because I might not be doing it too often! Exhausting, you'd assess. Alrighty, be seein' you soon! R&R!!!
A/N: Hey you guys! Here I am again, for another installment! I wanted to thank you all for the awesome reviews you left me, and the great ideas too -- makes a girl feel good, y'know? Well, enough from me, read on and I hope you like it!
* * * * * *
A Kiss Is Still A Kiss
PART IV: You Are Bold, Yes -- But Are You Daring?
" Aww, that is so cute! My daughter has a stalker!"
" I'm being hunted."
" He has it out for you, huh?"
" It's like he's the predator and I'm his helpless prey in some sick world where everyone lives a Discovery Channel life," Rory groaned, pulling her long brown hair up into a ponytail.
" Yes well, that would be interesting ... having your every move documented and taped with some famous British narrator over-interpreting the situation and making it into a dramatic saga, oh wouldn't that be sweet," Lorelai teased.
" Ha ha - alright, go ahead and mock me."
" Now don't tell me that it doesn't invigorate you just the tiniest little bit to know that you're being pursued, and that you're wanted - maybe?"
Rory just stared back at the minimal space between Lorelai's fingers with her dominant blue eyes.
" Invigorated, no - nauseous, yes."
" Hmm ... like, nauseous in an apprehensive, 'You give me the butterflies, you hot sexy fiend' way?"
" How about in a 'I'd rather have a hole in my head and vomit at the sight of my own brains' way," Rory deadpanned while she proceeded to pull at her harassing navy tights.
" Fine, it was worth a try ... Dean called," Lorelai informed.
" So you've told me, like, 80 million times."
" Perhaps I'm just waiting for you to actually do something about it, and then, and only then, will I stop bringing it up."
Both Gilmores began making their way to the door and grabbed their respective coats and gear.
" How about you just stop now, and then it will make the world a better place, for you and for me."
" Sure you don't wanna sing that," Lorelai quipped.
" No thanks, Michael Jackson isn't so high on my list of favorites."
" Yeah, well, how about his new hairdo? Stunning, right?"
" Oh make it stop."
" No I'm serious - the afro is coming back!"
" No more."
" I'm thinking that's the next hair move for me - forget ringlets, forget waves, forget straightening irons, I want a BUSH!!!"
" And out the door we go," Rory cut in, exiting the premises.
Lorelai just gave her daughter a commiserating grin and followed behind.
(A/N: I know that we are kind of in the beginnings of Gilmore Girls -- oh, first season perhaps, and that the Michael Jackson/afro-wearing thing is more of a recent development in his plethora of bad fashion choices, but I had to add it in because it's just too funny for words. Okay, read on.)
* * * * * *
Rory cautiously walked the halls of Chilton on high alert, stealth mode at maximum capacity - as ridiculous as she was sure she looked, she was not going to be the helpless gazelle pounced upon by the vigorous feline marauder and reduced to a bloody pulp, oh no ...
Success! She made it to her locker, and no sign of her shadow. Speedily, she entered her combination, yanking the door open, and began to wrench out her needed text and materials. Presently, a medium-sized white cup with a strip of cardboard covering appeared before her face. She gasped in amazement and awe, but then in remorse when the cup disappeared. She was then forced to turn around and confront the offender.
" Good morning Mary."
Rory was motionless, like a deer in the headlights, or like a gazelle waiting to be attacked - ironic, yes? But she would not be intimidated. Gilmores were never intimidated. Ever.
" Good morning," she replied evenly with a look of 'You don't scare me', then reached for the cup.
It was swiftly removed from her grasp and suspended stories above her normal height - damn Tristan and his long arms.
" Now how much coffee have you had this morning?"
" That's irrelevant," she retorted, not stopping in her activity of trying to retrieve her life-blood from the clenches of the Devil.
" Maybe I shouldn't have gotten you more coffee, I mean look what it's done to you already," he reasoned smugly.
Her struggle producing no fruit, she caught her breath and glared, arms defiantly folded across her chest.
" You're a mean, mean person; you probably kick little innocent puppies, or purposely make messes for your maids to clean up, or run through the grocery store, knocking things off the shelves, I bet you even steal food from the bulk section."
All she got in return was a lazy grin and Tristan's bedroom eyes.
" No need to get belligerent, my dear. I have every intention of giving it to you."
She waited patiently, but nothing came.
" Well," she demanded with heightened irritation.
" I never said I was talking about the coffee," he drawled, inching closer.
It was then that her face began to turn numerous shades of red and her shyness factor increased to infinity. Enjoying her uneasy state, but not wanting to spoil all the surprises, he merely smirked wider, chuckling to himself.
" Okay - you may have the beverage in question, but only at a fair price."
" That's supposed to make me feel better?"
" All I'm asking for is a kiss, Rory."
Her eyes momentarily widened.
" Tristan, I'm not giving you a kiss," she refused.
" Come come now, I never said where."
" Now I'm definitely not giving you a kiss."
Tristan laughed again, never having had so much fun his entire life.
" It'll be over soon, I promise."
She eyed him, unsure, as he turned his cheek toward her ... kiss Tristan and get the coffee, don't kiss Tristan and save herself from temptation ... choices, choices. In the end, Rory decided to lean in and go for it - this was coffee, after all, the one thirst-quencher worth risking your life for.
It all got changed after that, because Tristan had other plans ... plans that included turning his face at the last minute and claiming her mouth with his. She was caught off guard and moaned in protest but made no efforts to sever the connection or harm him in any way, and the kiss continued. Neither of them really knew how long it lasted, too busy concentrating on each other and the current of sparks that ran between their amalgamated lips. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end -- besides, spectators and romantic moments don't mix very well, so it was Tristan who stopped the kiss, clearing his throat and straightening up his posture.
" That was unexpected," he confessed.
Rory opened her eyes and tried desperately to recapture her sang-froid but failed in the end, so she settled for her routine indifference.
" Was not -- you probably planned for that to happen."
**Oh my dear sweet Rory - if you only knew ...**
" Oh that's laughable at best, but almost not true."
" You couldn't be more obvious."
" A good poker player never shows their hand, Rory."
" Is that what this is to you -- a game?"
He almost winced at his choice of words, pressed to find a comeback and fast.
" Hardly; I have every intention of making you mine forever and always, but you seem to have this stubbornness problem, so, what's a guy to do?"
" Give up and admit defeat," she suggested in a commanding tone, not able to keep the grin from her countenance.
" Now where's the fun in that - have I taught you nothing?"
" Do you really want me to answer that?"
" No, not really - well, I have to get to class," he side-tracked, checking the non-existent watch on his wrist.
" Please do."
" And as promised, here is your coffee - try not to miss me, will you darling?"
" I'll try," she returned, commiseration heavy in her voice.
Then Tristan did his seductive leaning-in thing, and she held her breath.
" Have a nice day Rory," he whispered in her ear, the side of his face brushing hers and sending chills down her spine.
She was forced to face his retreating back until he rounded the corner to Chemistry and subsequently she had to wonder what it was about him that put this spell on her and turned her into a wordless invalid - wordless and Rory Gilmore don't go together in the same sentence.
" What was that," a harsh voice hissed from behind her.
Rory didn't have to turn around to know who spoke.
" What was what, Paris," she asked in an overly-cheerful tone, facing her opponent but sometimes-friend.
" I know you're not as mindless as you look right now, so why don't we just drop the charade - what's going on with you and Tristan?"
" Nothing's going on," Rory defended, having shouldered her backpack and started down the hall to first period.
Naturally, Paris followed.
" Do you take me for a fool, Rory?"
" I wouldn't dare."
" It certainly didn't look like nothing."
" Maybe you need glasses."
" How convenient for you."
" You know, I'm really not in the mood today Paris, so if this conversation could be over in the next few seconds, that would be great, I'd really appreciate it," Rory uncharacteristically snapped.
" I don't know, exactly, the nature of the hold you seem to have on him, but I fully plan to find out," Paris cautioned.
" Well, good luck with that."
(A/N: Borrowed that from "Rory's Birthday Parties" - hope you don't mind, Amy!)
Rory soon rounded her own corner and left the source of her torment somewhere behind.
* * * * * *
The school day had almost come to a close, and Rory was wandering through the library, attempting to pass the time during her study hall.
It came to her attention that she had not seen Tristan the entire day, whether to her enjoyment or to her dismay she was not sure. Leafing through a random piece of literature, she just felt like any minute, he was going to pop up and scare the living daylights out of her or bombard her with a surfeit of suggestive comments. And she would be right.
" Did anyone ever tell you how exquisite your neck looks when your hair is up," Tristan said cooly, fixing her shirt collar and placing a few short kisses on the body part being discussed.
Why was this library so stifling? Hadn't they heard of circulating air?
She pushed down the heat rising from the very spot his lips had just left, bit down on her own, and pressed forward.
" Note to self: wear hair down to school from now on," she mumbled to herself, but just loud enough for him to hear.
" Ooo - and the assailment begins."
His comfortable stance against the bookshelf entailed he wasn't leaving.
" Do you never tire of leaning on things," Rory solicited in exasperation.
His grin was insufferable.
" Think about that question then get back to me."
A roll of her crystal blue eyes generated the desired reaction
" What are you doing in here exactly, besides to just torture me?"
" Isn't that enough," he snarked.
No response.
" What do people in school libraries usually do?"
" Don't tell me you actually read or I'll keel over in shock."
" And it would be a sad, sad day in Hartford, I assure you."
" So is that a yes?"
" I wouldn't want to be the direct cause of your keeling over."
" Too late."
" You wound me, Mary," he said, clutching the Chilton emblem resting on his left pectoral.
" These aren't all picture books, you know; there's no Car World, or Head Stuck Up My Ass Today, or Don't You Wish You Had My Privileged Life, and there are certainly no dirty magazines --- are you sure you can handle page after page of just words?"
" First of all, watch the potty mouth, second, I do read - on occasion - when there aren't certain distractions around ..."
Tristan was of course looking straight at her as he said this.
" Are you entailing that I'm a distraction," she continued the banter, knowing full well from past experience where this conversation would lead.
" Perhaps - not to say that's a bad thing."
" Of course not; I'm sure you need distractions all the time because, without them, you start thinking and getting ideas, then chaos and mass destruction are never far behind - a very common tale."
" My, aren't we witty today," he stated in an English accent.
" Why thank you," she imitated cordially and pretended to read.
Rory soon felt Tristan's strong arms wrap around her waist from behind her, and his mouth found its way back to the cradle of her neck -- she knew she was in for it. So rather than let on that he was having an effect on her, she delved into her everlasting wellspring of drollness to save her.
" Not this again," she pretended to be disgusted.
" I'm sorry, you're just too tempting," he reasoned between kisses.
" Tristan, I have a boyfriend."
This made him stop his current activity and look her in the eye.
" No you don't."
Okay, so he wasn't that stupid - big deal, right?
" Well ... maybe not now, but I will soon."
**Lame Gilmore, so lame**
" So how can 'not now' be interpreted as having a boyfriend?"
" You're making this more difficult than it has to be."
" Hey don't blame me for your faulty logic."
" You already know I want to get back with Dean."
In spite of all the fun things he had in store for Rory, the words were still painful to hear. But a DuGrey never shows weakness.
" I certainly hope so - scandal is my middle name after all," he saved face, putting on the patented charm and smirk.
" You poor soul."
" I'm sure I have your sympathies."
Silence crept back into the convo, and Rory glanced around nervously, clasping the novel to her chest. The bell had rung minutes ago - she was desperate for a getaway.
" I'm gonna miss the bus."
" There you go again with that escape tactic - how does she do it?"
" I really am this time - besides, I need to get home, 'cuz Mom probably left the coffeemaker on, and she'll burn the whole place down, it'll be a big mess."
" Maybe that whole 'giving you a ride home' idea is pretty debatable now, huh?"
" Probably."
Tristan's smirk transitioned to a smile as he dug one hand into his pocket.
" So I guess this is goodbye then ... for now."
" Yes, for now," she agreed, returning the smile.
Lucky for her she still holding that novel, or else her arms would truly look limp. She fully expected him to do something evocative, to the point that she felt something was amiss if he didn't. He didn't disappoint, naturally, brushing one of those errant strands from her face and placing a small but highly satisfactory kiss on her lips. With one last stroke of her cheek, he was gone.
* * * * * *
Hey there hi there ho there! So tell me - was it sap? Like, from a tree? I know it's a little premature for things to be getting so fluffy, but I couldn't resist. Do let me know of your thoughts by pressing that little square button at the bottom left of the window, thank you so much.
Another thank you to the reviewers:
samantha: thanks, and I plan to!
Surya: I liked that line too, so feel free! And "The More Things Change" is getting so juicy! You are awesome!
BTVSGoddess: Yes, Rory is lucky, and the plans are only getting better!
darasun: Honored, as always, and great minds must think alike, 'cuz that's almost exactly what I had planned for our favorite little couple, so thanks!
Elise: I hope this was soon enough! You rock!(
Alece: I'm sorry babe, but she is gonna get back with Dean - only for plot- thickening purposes, though. There will be Troriness in the near future!
Orangefish018: You got me all figured out girl! I hope your brilliant predictions don't spoil the surprise!
coincidence casualty: thanks for hopping aboard and reading! More support = happy trory-goddess!
Tristanlover59: I'm glad you liked it sweetie!
piper-h-99: I UPDATED!!!
jessiebite: thank you for the encouragement hun, it means so much, really!
jesslover17: What's this? Something about you loving it...ha ha, j/k! Thanks chica!
Amber: Glad you liked it as well!
swimminsweetie: Ditto! You're a trooper, babe!
LizDarcy: Yes, giggling is good! And there is plenty of seduction on the way!
ZoeLuv80: I hope you liked the beginnings of what Tristan has in store for Rory!
LandonLover: Yes, they should hook up immediately, banter is required, and so is sexual tension - you hit the three corners!
Jamie Witter: This is an honor as well, so thank you!
Deeta: I hope you keep on loving it!
Phew! That was the first shout out to the reviewers I've ever done! I hope it was adequate because I might not be doing it too often! Exhausting, you'd assess. Alrighty, be seein' you soon! R&R!!!